Embedded Files
Camp Hood was a beehive of activity in the '40s, known to be dedicated to the Tank Destroyer initiatives. The 528th FABn, was a 155mm Long Tom Gun, Tractor-drawn (motorized) Battalion. Around 1943, the US army devised a new strategy for effective use of Artillery in combat oversees. This entailed a mobile, flexible group, commanded at the Corps level, versus direct attachment of Artillery units to Divisions.
"I do not have to tell you who won the war. You know, the artillery did." - Gen. George S. Patton .
This newly developed unit would prove to be highly maneuverable to respond to the demands of European Theatre of Operations (ETO) service in WWII.
Unknown Artillery unit during WWII, showing the motorized, M4 High Speed Tractor drawn 155mm Gun.
The 528th FABn operated with the same equipment.
The 528th Field Artillery Battalion was activated at Camp Hood, Texas, in Feb 1944. As part of the 224th FA Group, the 528th completed their training in super-speed!
Thursday June 1st 1944.
Camp Hood Panther- Newspaper
Marching in review Wednesday afternoon. 24 May. the men - of the 528th Field Artillery Battalion of North Camp Hood were presented the Battalion Standard by Col. Louis J. Compton, commanding officer of the 224th Field Artillery Group, Maj. Duncan G. Peek. battalion commander received the Standard after which Colonel Compton reviewed the battalion. The Field Artillery of the 528th had had some training before they were activated in their present battalion. They have completed their MTP (mobilization training program) in six weeks. less than half the time normally required and were commended by Colonel Compton for their efficient training. The 24th Coast Artillery Band played for the review on the parade grounds.
http://www.tankdestroyer.net/images/stories/ArticlePDFs2/CHP_Issue_25_Vol._2_6-1-44.pdf
Feb 1944, Officers and E.M of the 528th, Camp Hood Texas.
During the begining months at Camp Hood, Texas, the history record states that the 528th FABn was comprised of 19 Officers and 87 Enlisted men. This number would vary greatly throughout the following year, having 382 enlisted men at times.
In Sept 1944 after soldiers were granted some leave, the Battalion left Texas for NY Embarkation to London. The 528th FABn, then found themselves in training and organization from Nov 1944 to January 1945. In February 1945, the Battalion was directed to action in the European Theatre of Operations (ETO).
After serving in Europe during 1945, the unit was inactivated and reactivated several times over the years. You can see a quick lineage below. The direct lineage continued to the 528th United States Army Artillery Group.
528th USAAG
Lineage And Honors Lineage RA (inactive)
Constituted 4 January 1944 in the Army of the United States as the 528th Field Artillery Battalion.
Activated 21 February 1944 at Camp Hood, Texas. Inactivated 1 November 1946 at Camp Hood, Texas.
Redesignated 16 June 1947 as the 934th Field Artillery Battalion and allotted to the Organized Reserves. Activated 7 July 1947 at Chicago, Illinois. (Organized Reserves redesignated 25 March 1948 as the Organized Reserve Corps; redesignated 9 July 1952 as the Army Reserve.)
Inactivated 15 November 1950 at Chicago, Illinois. Redesignated 14 March 1952 as the 528th Field Artillery Battalion. Withdrawn 13 December 1952 from the Army Reserve and allotted to the Regular Army. Activated 18 March 1955 in Korea. Inactivated 10 June 1956 in Korea.
Headquarters and Headquarters Battery redesignated 9 March 1959 as Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 528th United States Army Artillery Group (remainder of battalion—hereafter separate lineages). Activated 1 April 1959 at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Inactivated 15 July 1992 in Germany.
Field Artillery Campaign Participation Credit
World War II
Rhineland
Central Europe
Decorations Army Superior Unit Award, Streamer embroidered 1991 (Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 528th United States Army Artillery Group, cited; DA GO 34, 1992)
BIBLIOGRAPHY Schmidt, Blaise X. “528th United States Army Artillery Group.” Field Artillery Journal 51 (March-April 1983):48.
From the 528th FABn unit history, a letter written by Capt. Philip A Manahan, states that Fort Hood will celebrate "Battalion Day" on March 21st 1946, to honour the 528th FABn's ETO efforts & achievements during the Rhineland Remagen Bridge battle. The 528th FABn's Guns were the first to be laid on the Bridgehead, and in the days following, the Artillery Battalion was the furthest forward of all Artillery in the ETO.
While there is no mention of the 528th, more info about the Ludendorff Bridge battle at Remagen, can be found here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Remagen#Bridgehead_location
WWII Rhineland information: https://history.army.mil/brochures/rhineland/rhineland.htm
WWII Central Europe information: https://history.army.mil/brochures/centeur/centeur.htm
Google Sites
Report abuse